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Editorial
February 27, 1824
Fincastle Mirror
Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Dr. Dwight's remarks warn against the pervasive sin of drunkenness, which affects all social classes and creeps insensibly. He urges constant vigilance, noting that health, reason, family, God, and even hell admonish against it, citing biblical denunciation of drunkards.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
DRUNKENESS.
The following remarks, by Dr. Dwight, should be read with attention, and impressed on the heart of every being who properly regards his own happiness, the welfare of his friends, of the good order of society.
No reputation, no wisdom, will secure a man against drunkeness. This sin is found in the cottage and the palace; in the study of the philosopher, and in the sacred desk; in the hall of the council; and on the bench of justice; and, contrary to what would seem the dictates of nature as well as delicacy, in the female sex: even in instances where distinction, understanding, amiableness and refinement would appear to forbid even the suspicion.
In most, if not in all cases, the evil creeps insensibly on the unhappy subject, and overcomes him before he is aware. A prime object to be regarded, is therefore to keep the danger always before our eyes.
We are ever to feel that we ourselves are in danger, and to consider an habitual and lively dread of it as our best safety.
Nothing pleads for it, except the mere appetite for strong drink--an appetite usually unnatural, and created by casual indulgence. All things else, in Heaven and earth, exclaim against it, with a single voice! Our health, our safety, our reason, our living, our souls, our families and our friends, in solemn and affecting union, urge, entreat and persuade to abstain. God commands; Christ solicits; the spirit of grace influences us to abstain; Angels and glorified saints behold our conduct, with such anxiety and alarm as happy beings can feel, and watch and hope to see our escape. The law, with a terrible voice, thunders in our ears that dreadful denunciation;--"Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Even hell itself, hostile as it is to our salvation, follows the rest of the universe, and in spite of its own malevolence, subjoins its dreadful admonition, by marshalling before us the innumerable host of wretches this sin has driven to despair. Who, that does not already sleep the sleep of death, can refuse to hear, awake and live!
The following remarks, by Dr. Dwight, should be read with attention, and impressed on the heart of every being who properly regards his own happiness, the welfare of his friends, of the good order of society.
No reputation, no wisdom, will secure a man against drunkeness. This sin is found in the cottage and the palace; in the study of the philosopher, and in the sacred desk; in the hall of the council; and on the bench of justice; and, contrary to what would seem the dictates of nature as well as delicacy, in the female sex: even in instances where distinction, understanding, amiableness and refinement would appear to forbid even the suspicion.
In most, if not in all cases, the evil creeps insensibly on the unhappy subject, and overcomes him before he is aware. A prime object to be regarded, is therefore to keep the danger always before our eyes.
We are ever to feel that we ourselves are in danger, and to consider an habitual and lively dread of it as our best safety.
Nothing pleads for it, except the mere appetite for strong drink--an appetite usually unnatural, and created by casual indulgence. All things else, in Heaven and earth, exclaim against it, with a single voice! Our health, our safety, our reason, our living, our souls, our families and our friends, in solemn and affecting union, urge, entreat and persuade to abstain. God commands; Christ solicits; the spirit of grace influences us to abstain; Angels and glorified saints behold our conduct, with such anxiety and alarm as happy beings can feel, and watch and hope to see our escape. The law, with a terrible voice, thunders in our ears that dreadful denunciation;--"Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Even hell itself, hostile as it is to our salvation, follows the rest of the universe, and in spite of its own malevolence, subjoins its dreadful admonition, by marshalling before us the innumerable host of wretches this sin has driven to despair. Who, that does not already sleep the sleep of death, can refuse to hear, awake and live!
What sub-type of article is it?
Temperance
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Drunkenness
Temperance
Moral Warning
Dr. Dwight
Abstinence
Sin Of Alcohol
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Dwight
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dangers And Moral Imperative Against Drunkenness
Stance / Tone
Strong Moral Exhortation To Abstain From Alcohol
Key Figures
Dr. Dwight
Key Arguments
Drunkenness Affects All Social Classes, From Cottages To Palaces And Even Women
It Creeps Insensibly And Overcomes Before Awareness
Constant Dread And Vigilance Are Essential For Safety
Only Unnatural Appetite Pleads For It; Everything Else In Heaven And Earth Urges Abstinence
God, Christ, Angels, Law, And Even Hell Admonish Against It
Drunkards Shall Not Inherit The Kingdom Of God